Understanding Predation Research
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Scotland's Morrland Forum are conducting research into predation of ground nesting birds. Below is a summary of the project, and information on how you can help the researchers .
Understanding Predation Research
This project is being conducted on behalf of Scotland’s Moorland Forum by researchers from University of Aberdeen, British Trust for Ornithology, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and University of Stirling.
As part of this research we are gathering opinions of various stakeholders including Moorland Forum members and members of the broader community via an online questionnaire and workshop program. The results will help us develop a better understanding of people’s knowledge and experiences of issues regarding ground nesting wild bird species in upland and lowland systems in Scotland. It is designed to collect information that will complement a review of published natural science literature also being carried out as part of the project.
The questionnaire takes around 30 minutes to complete and asks about people’s experiences and opinions of the following broad topics:
How environmental and human factors may impact on wild bird species;
How predator species may impact on wild bird species; and
Different techniques for managing predator-prey interactions.
In this research we are particularly interested in the following predator and prey species, however there are opportunities in the questionnaire to discuss other species as well:
Predators: Buzzard, Carrion/Hooded Crow, Raven, Red Fox
Prey: Black Grouse, Curlew, Golden Plover, Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Oystercatcher.
Access the questionnaire
You can access the questionnaire by clicking on this link: Understanding Predation Questionnaire
Alternatively you can paste the following link into your browser: http://cduhes.asia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_agT7dUEavWH1ZKl
A pdf of the questionnaire is attached in case you want to preview it before completing it online.
Distribute the questionnaire
Please forward this email to any colleagues with knowledge in this area so we can include as many diverse views as possible in the research.
The questionnaire link will also be posted on the Understanding Predation blog so that members of the broader community can take part in the research.
Closing Date: please complete the questionnaire online as soon as possible. The questionnaire will close on the 31st July.
Include facts, proof and literature
We encourage you to include any references, facts or proof to support your questionnaire responses (e.g. documents, observations, photos). Also, if you have any unpublished documents (e.g. reports) that you think ought to be included in the natural science review please email or post items to the address below.
Attend workshops
This project will also explore the issues discussed in the questionnaire in greater depth during stakeholder workshops, conducted between June and July 2015. Workshops can involve around 8 participants from one or more likeminded organisations. Participants at these workshops must complete this questionnaire first, and must enter their contact details at the workshop section towards the end of the questionnaire. Please let me know if you would like more details about participating in a workshop.
Dr Gill Ainsworth
Research Fellow in Understanding Predation
Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences
Aberdeen University
Tillydrone Avenue
Aberdeen AB24 2TZ,
UK
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